US Reiterates Visa Suspension for Nigerians, Expands Appointments for Ghanaians

ByEditor

Jan 22, 2026

Pat Stevens/

The United States government has moved to suspend the issuance of a wide range of visas to Nigerian nationals while encouraging applications from citizens of Ghana.

The development underscores starkly different diplomatic engagement with the two West African neighbours.

In a reminder issued by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigerian citizens were warned that the U.S. Department of State would partially suspend the issuance of B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas to Nigerians under Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”

The directive also affects immigrant visa categories, subject to limited exemptions for dual nationals using unaffected passports, certain special immigrant visas and participants in major sporting events.

The proclamation text cites national security and screening concerns, including reference to terrorism and visa overstay rates, as the rationale for including Nigeria on the list of affected countries.

The embassy clarified that applicants may still file and attend interviews, but consular officers may find them ineligible for issuance or admission once the suspension takes effect.

In marked contrast, the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana, has signalled a proactive stance on visa access for Ghanaians.

In a recent social media post, the embassy announced that it has opened thousands of additional non-immigrant visa appointment slots, many available immediately, and continues to process such visa applications without suspension.

The embassy highlighted travel opportunities to the United States, especially for those planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, urging applicants to “apply early” via the official visa appointment website.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Ghana told media that the expanded appointments reflect ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and reduce previous delays, a sentiment backed by official figures showing that around 25,000 visas were issued to Ghanaians in 2024 from roughly 61,000 applications.

The divergent messages from the two missions mirror broader diplomatic trends.

Nigeria’s relationship with the United States has encountered tension in recent years, partly due to U.S. objections over religious freedom, security concerns and governance issues.

The Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act and subsequent visa restrictions highlight these strains.

By contrast, U.S.–Ghana relations have been described as relatively stable, with past visa validity periods restored after diplomatic engagement.

A statement from the U.S. Embassy in Accra last year noted that maximum validity periods for non-immigrant visas had been restored for Ghanaian citizens, a development welcomed by Ghana’s foreign ministry as symbolic of strong bilateral ties.

Diplomats and analysts suggest that the visa policies reflect differentiated U.S. strategic interests in West Africa.

Ghana’s generally lower security risk profile and stronger cooperation on trade, education and democratic governance appear to underpin a more open visa issuance posture, while Nigeria’s large population, complex security landscape and higher reported rates of visa overstays have contributed to more restrictive measures.